About

The National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) was established in 1952 when a prominent Kuwaiti merchant went to the British Bank of the Middle East to open a letter of guarantee for the amount of 10,000 Indian rupees, (which is equivalent today to 750 Kuwaiti dinars). Much to his surprise, his request was rejected, on the condition that he provide a guarantor. This well-known merchant was shocked and appalled by the treatment that he had received, and news of this was all over town. 

This incident gave rise to the question and the idea of having a Kuwaiti bank with a mission to serve citizens’ needs as its priority, stimulate the economic growth of the country, and look after the savings of its clients. In fact, a meeting was held with the late Amir of Kuwait, H.H. Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, who congratulated them on the idea and promised them his complete support. An Amiri decree was issued on May 19, 1952 to open the National Bank of Kuwait, and NBK started operations on November 15th 1952.

The founders of NBK are:

• Khalid Zaid Al-Khalid
• Ahmed Saud Al-Khaled
• Khalifa Khalid Al-Ghunaim
• Khaled Abdullatif Al-Hamad
• Sayed Ali Sayed Sulieman Al-Rifai
• Yousef Abdulziz Al-Fulaij
• Yousef Ahmed Al-Ghanim
• Mohamed Abdulmohsen Al-Khorafi
• Abdulaziz Hamad Al-Sager

NBK was the first national bank in Kuwait and the entire Arabian Gulf region. All the board members and the founders of NBK were renowned merchants of Kuwaiti origin. NBK was established with a capital of 13,100 shares, each valued 1,000 Indian rupees – equivalent to 75 Kuwaiti dinars today. Over the years NBK has proved itself to be a financial leader in the Arab world.

Dear Shareholders, Investors and Partners,

2025 was a year that tested resilience and rewarded discipline. For more than seven decades, NBK has helped shape the financial landscape of Kuwait and played an active role in supporting economic development across the region. Since its establishment more than 73 years ago, the Bank has not merely kept pace with change - it has consistently anticipated it and contributed to shaping it, evolving from a leading local banking institution into a regional powerhouse with a strong global presence and significant strategic influence. That legacy of consistency and purpose continued to define our direction in 2025, as NBK navigated a complex global environment marked by economic uncertainty, shifting monetary conditions, and geopolitical pressures.

In line with the Bank’s commitment to maximizing shareholder value, the Board recommended a cash dividend of 35 fils per share for the financial year ended December 31, 2025, and the distribution of 5% bonus shares - reflecting confidence in the Bank’s strong financial position and the resilience of its capital base.

Propelling Digital Transformation

NBK continued to invest in technology and digital transformation to enhance customer experiences, drive operational efficiency, and expand access to financial services. Our platforms were strengthened to deliver seamless and secure banking experiences, and these efforts are already yielding tangible results in operational performance and customer reach. NBK also continued growing its international network, one of the largest among Arab banks, enabling us to capture opportunities across diverse markets while maintaining a well-balanced risk exposure.

Advancing Sustainability and ESG Leadership

Sustainability remains a core pillar of our strategy, not only as a responsibility but as a long-term growth opportunity. By the end of 2025, NBK’s sustainable assets portfolio exceeded USD 6 billion, representing meaningful progress toward our USD 10 billion target by 2030. The Bank continues to integrate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles across its operations and investment decisions, reinforcing its leadership in responsible banking across the region.

Driving Kuwait’s Economic Vision

NBK remained firmly committed to Kuwait’s economic development in 2025, financing strategic infrastructure projects and supporting key sectors including energy and private sector growth. The Bank continued aligning its strategy with Kuwait Vision 2035, directing capital and expertise toward national priorities and strengthening its connectivity with international capital markets to support the country’s long-term economic transformation.

Robust Governance, Disciplined Risk

Our performance is underpinned by a robust governance framework and disciplined risk management, overseen by a Board of Directors with deep expertise and supported by an executive management team committed to the highest standards of professionalism. Our employees remain the driving force behind NBK’s success, and we continue to invest in talent development while maintaining one of the highest national workforce ratios in the private sector.

Looking Ahead with Confidence

Despite continued global uncertainty, we remain optimistic. Kuwait’s economic outlook is improving, supported by ongoing reforms, infrastructure investment, and diversification initiatives. NBK is well positioned to play a pivotal role in the next phase of growth - and as we look ahead, we do so with the confidence of an institution that has earned the trust of generations. Together, we will continue to strengthen NBK’s position as a leading financial institution in the region and a trusted partner for generations to come.

Hamad Mohamed Al-Bahar
Chairman